Audi Revolut F1 Team has announced the launch of its Driver Development Programme, marking a significant strategic step ahead of its entry into the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2026. The initiative will be led by Audi motorsport legend and three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Allan McNish, underscoring the brand’s long-term commitment to building a competitive and sustainable Formula One operation.
The Audi Driver Development Programme will serve as a cornerstone of the team’s Formula One ambitions, focusing on identifying, nurturing and developing the next generation of racing talent. The comprehensive initiative will scout and support promising young drivers from karting through to the junior single-seater categories, providing a structured pathway to the highest level of motorsport.
Beyond driver development, the programme reflects Audi Revolut F1 Team’s broader approach to building a championship-capable organisation. Alongside young drivers, the team will invest in developing emerging talent across key technical and operational roles, including designers, engineers and mechanics, reinforcing its long-term vision both on and off the track.
Members of the Audi Driver Development Programme will receive world-class training and mentorship, benefiting from the brand’s decades of experience at the highest levels of motorsport. The curriculum will focus on the drivers’ requirements, with a bespoke development programme going from on-track performance, driving and engineering development, human performance, and media and marketing. Drivers will have access to cutting-edge resources and work closely with engineers and specialists from Audi Revolut F1 Team, embedding them in a culture of precision and performance from day one.
The appointment of Allan McNish as Director is a statement of intent: McNish’s esteemed career, both as a highly successful driver for Audi and, more recently, in team management roles, makes him uniquely qualified to lead this initiative. His deep, long-standing relationship with the brand ensures that the programme’s values will be perfectly aligned with the Audi DNA.
This initiative is a fundamental part of the strategic plan as Audi builds its Formula One team for sustainable success, focusing on youth and a culture of continuous improvement both on and off the track.
Allan McNish, Director of the Audi Driver Development Programme: “To be entrusted with finding the cornerstones of the future Audi Revolut F1 Team is a great honour and a responsibility I am very passionate about. This brand is built on a history of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’, and that philosophy must apply to our young drivers as much as to our cars. We are not just looking for raw speed; we are looking for the resilience, intelligence, and team-driven mindset that defines a future Audi champion. Our goal is to build a pathway that turns potential into precision and performance on the world stage. I am thrilled to begin this work and identify the first generation of talent to join this ambitious project.”
Jonathan Wheatley, Team Principal of Audi Revolut F1 Team: “Investing in the champions of tomorrow is a key pillar of our Formula One strategy. The Audi Driver Development Programme is a clear statement of our long-term commitment to youth and our ambition to be competitive. With Allan McNish, we have a director who not only has an incredible track record in motorsport but also embodies the spirit and dedication of our operations. Under his leadership, this programme will be integral to our vision for 2030, our goal of building a winning team and shaping the future of Audi in Formula One.”
